Information Library
Breast cancer care. Will my ACA-compliant insurance cover the costs? Will all my costs be covered?
As with all queries about what is or is not covered by your health insurance, the answer is never straightforward. We aim to present you with some guidelines that may help inform your choice of health insurance plan. So, let us begin at the beginning. The...
Is it illegal not to have health insurance?
Are there penalties for not having health insurance? To insure or not insure? The first of these questions is very easy to answer. No federal mandate forces you to have health insurance-so the choice is yours. If you are looking for the answer to this...
Employers mull health insurance surcharges for unvaccinated
Some employers may tack on health coverage surcharges for employees who don’t plan to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to an Aug. 5 blog post from Mercer, an asset management firm. The blog post likened the health insurance surcharge...
Can my health insurance plan be canceled at any time?
The emphatic answer is NO! UNLESS? UNLESS WHAT? In this article, we set out the grounds on which either you or your insurer can cancel your health insurance plan and the consequences. The good news is that you can change your current plan to meet a change of...
Are my health insurance premiums tax-deductible?
A simple question? -YES A simple answer NO? We explain who is eligible and how much you can claim. First, let’s briefly consider the purpose of health insurance and secondly the reason why since 2010, the federal government, through the Affordable Care Act...
I think my parent needs hearing aids. What should I do? How much will it cost? Can ACA insurance help?
First, what makes you think your parent has hearing loss? The usual signs are that they frequently ask to have something repeated or fail to grasp the complete sense of a conversation. The most telling sign is that when alone, they turn the TV sound up to an...
How quickly must I pay for my visit to the hospital?
Very few of us are glad to find a hospital bill in our mailbox. If the amount is small or at least manageable, we won’t worry too much. We should, of course, make sure that amounts are correct and then pay within the specified period, typically 30 or 60 days....
Time is Running Out to Sign Up for Health Insurance Through the Affordable Care Act!
If you don’t have health insurance, you have a few weeks left to sign up for for low- or no-cost private coverage through the public marketplace. A special enrollment period that opened Feb. 15 and closes Aug. 15 allows individuals to use healthcare.gov (or their...
Which is better, an HMO or a PPO Health Insurance Policy
A Health Maintenance or a Preferred Provider Organization? WHICH IS BEST FOR YOU? We begin with a brief explanation of the differences between these two types of health insurance plans, HMO and PPO, and then discuss some reasons for choosing one or the other. Each has...
I can’t pay my medical bill – What should I do?
If you are reading this article, you are probably worried about a medical or hospital bill that you will find challenging, or even impossible, to pay. It is no great comfort to know that you are not alone. Every year thousands of Americans find themselves in the...
When should I take my child to the dentist for the first time?
The Why, Who, and When of that first visit. Will it be covered by the AFFORDABLE CARE ACT (ACA)? Just about everyone can list a few reasons WHY good dental care is essential. As a parent, you are aware from your own experience, good or bad, how vital oral health...
Does my health insurance cover overseas travel?
When planning a trip abroad, a cruise, a job assignment, or even a permanent relocation, you need the security of knowing that your health insurance plan covers (and your dependents) should you get sick or injured. Many policies, including ACA-compliant plans, do not...
Congress must Extend ARPA Benefits to keep Premiums affordable.
Without Congressional action to extend the innovative tax credits implemented as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), 2023 consumer healthcare costs could skyrocket. The ARP Act signed in March 2021 A significant part of the ARPA benefits is the temporary...
Stomping out COVID-19 Vaccine Myths
Misinformed people throughout the country continue to latch on to misbeliefs, nonsense, and outlandish tales instead of protecting themselves and the rest of the Nation. COVID-19 vaccine myths seem to have real staying power, and this has severe consequences for...
Understanding Hospice Care
Deciding for a loved one to go into hospice care can be an overwhelming and difficult decision. However, if you discuss your options with us beforehand, it may help put your mind at ease. Let’s talk about whether or not hospice is the best option for both of...
When Should I See an Allergist?
If you’re feeling tired all the time, your throat is constantly sore, or you have a stuffy nose and itchy eyes most of the time, then you probably might be experiencing symptoms of allergies. But when should people see an allergist? Read our article on: Do I...
ALS: What does Insurance Cover?
ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The progressive degeneration of motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to paralysis or death. It’s important to know what your insurance covers before you decide how you...
Do I Have Covid or Seasonal Allergies?
Covid-19 and Seasonal Allergies are challenging to differentiate due to their similarities. The stress of the pandemic has people wondering if they should take a Benadryl or get a Covid test. Here we will explain the differences between the two. I hope to help you...
The government will pay your internet bill. This is what you need to do!
Washington wants to pick up the tab for tens of millions of Americans’ Internet connections. That may include yours. The Emergency Broadband Benefit, or EBB, was launched Wednesday to help a surprisingly wide range of people hit economically by...
Vaccine hesitancy-What is it and Why?
Vaccine hesitancy-What is it and Why? How does it affect me? Should we worry? It is only natural to pause, even if only for a moment, whenever we face a choice. However, when that pause can have deadly consequences for our family and others, it becomes more than a...
New guidance for visiting loved ones in nursing homes. CMS announces revised visitation recommendations
For the last year, many of us could not visit relatives and friends living in long-term care facilities (LTFC). It has been difficult for the residents, their healthcare professionals, doctors, and nurses, too. The newly announced updates to Nursing...
What can I do after I get vaccinated?
Can I return to my old activities? Not at first. Public health experts say that in the short term, life will look much the same after you are vaccinated. A much larger share of the population needs to be vaccinated before the pandemic is manageable....
NEW COVID-19 Vaccines – Great News; but COVID Variants and Poor Choices by Governors may Erase all Gains and Extend the Pandemic
New vaccines and significant improvements in the implementation of delivering vaccines have dramatically improved the chances of managing the COVID-19 pandemic. As an ever-increasing number of us are being vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, it’s important to focus...
Open Enrollment resumes for 3 months Feb. 15th-May 15th, 2021. Affordable health insurance is now available.
What you need to know for this Special Enrollment Period The Coronavirus pandemic has cost millions of Americans their health coverage as they lost jobs in the economic fallout. To help counteract the economic damage, the Biden administration has reopened the Health...
Michigan to give free community college tuition to eligible residents 25 and older
The State of Michigan announced a program that will give any Michigander who is 25 or older the chance to get a tuition-free associate degree from a community college or skills certificate. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and a bipartisan group of lawmakers announced the $30...
ACA Insurance Marketplace Reopens Feb 15th – August 15th 2021.
January 28th, 2021: President Biden reopens ACA insurance marketplace In a Thursday morning call, a Biden White House official touted today’s executive actions on health care, telling reporters, “In basic terms, what that means is that starting in just two...
5 Benefits of Buying Health Insurance Online
At least 92% of Americans are enrolled in a health care plan, but the remaining 8% amounts to over 26 million people with no health insurance. Most folks who are covered by a health insurance plan receive that coverage through their employer. However, as companies are...
Do Medicare Plans Cover Coronavirus Tests and Treatments?
As the coronavirus continues to affect people around the world, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines for the public, from face coverings to social distancing, in an effort to keep Americans vigilant and protected. If and...
Does Life Insurance Cover Suicide?
Suicide is a serious public health issue in the United States, being listed as the tenth leading cause of death in the country in 2018, according to the CDC. It’s more common than homicide, and over the 20 years leading up to 2018, the rate of suicides in the...
COVID-19 Insurance and Other Small Business Coverage Concerns.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the related shutdowns have been a huge hit for the economy. Some businesses are more impacted than others, with many small (and some not-so-small) businesses reportedly unable to bounce back from the financial losses they sustained in 2020....
Health Insurance: What Is a Co-Pay? (With Examples)
Healthcare, health insurance and the medical billing industry are confusing and complex spaces. Sometimes, when talking to insurers and the billing department at your local doctor’s office, it can feel as if they’re speaking a different language. Here is...
Does Health Insurance Cover Therapy?
Every year, millions of Americans seek professional help for mental health issues, yet there are many others who do not do so because of fear that they won’t be able to afford the bills. The costs associated with mental health (and indeed medical billing in...
MAKING SENSE: Finding the best deals on health insurance
So. Many. Choices. I’m Overwhelmed! Which is the BEST Affordable Health insurance plan? Should I use an Insurance Agent? Everyone searches for the BEST health insurance plans for themselves, their family, or business. But with hundreds of insurance...
5 Ways to Get Healthcare If You Lost Your Job Because of COVID-19
Whether you lose your job because of the recent pandemic or because your employer is simply shaking things up with a merger (or downsize), the financial blow to you and your family can be huge. It’s not just the loss of income and need to find another job; you...
GOOD NEWS for Seniors w/Diabetes! Trump Caps Insulin Prices
Updated 3rd-August-2020 Under recently announced plans, Seniors enrolled in Medicare can choose policies that limit co-pays for insulin. President Trump endorses a deal designed to benefit a significant group of US citizens. Who is eligible for this...
Cancel the Affordable Care Act? Yes-No-Maybe-Now-Never-I don’t know!
Is it time to overturn the ACA (Obamacare)? After ten years of its existence, President Trump asks the supreme court to cancel the Affordable Care Act. How did we get here? Where are we going? In the olden days, the eldest son rushed into town callin’ for Doc to...
Covid-19 The risk of infection, by water droplets, by direct contact, by touching infected surfaces
Risk of catching Coronavirus from surface, airborne water droplets, and direct contact. Whatever the source of the COVID-19 virus it is a novel (new) form of the Coronavirus family about which we knew nothing (December 2019) and for which, bioscientists worldwide, are...
How to manage your mortgage (or rent) during the Coronavirus pandemic?
Manage mortgage during the Coronavirus pandemic? For most of us the largest single purchase in our lives, and the most important, is our home. To make the purchase, most of us need to borrow and use the home itself as security for the loan. The loan is usually...
How to manage credit card payments during Coronavirus pandemic?
You are probably reading this article because you have, like most of us, been caught up in the Coronavirus pandemic. Even the word itself contains the word ‘PANIC’. Our first advice is DON’T. Most of us will have two major concerns. Number one will be for...
How to manage student loans during Coronavirus pandemic?
Anyone who has a student loan knows just how complicated it can be. The impact of the Coronavirus pandemic does not make it any easier to navigate the almost limitless alternatives and you must be looking for ways to manage student loans during Coronavirus...
How to manage auto loans during Coronavirus pandemic?
In this article we give some guidance on the options available to you to lessen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and manage auto loans during Coronavirus pandemic. If you think you may fall behind on your auto loan, call your lender and explain your situation. The...
Trouble Paying Bills? Pandemic Money Management
There can be very few American families who are not financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and finding difficult to manage money during Coronavirus pandemic. The key to finding financial protection from Coronavirus is to recognize them and face them. The...
COVID-19 Financial Protection: Managing Money
The COVID-19 pandemic now affects everyone in the U.S. It also is causing trouble throughout the world. The Coronavirus affects each individual, family, community, state, and nation differently, ut COVID-19 financial protection is something on everyone’s mind....
COVID-19- Balancing the harms! When will we be prepared?
Right now (early May 2020) state governors up, down and across the USA are making decisions about ending or at least relaxing the regulations introduced to control the COVID-19 pandemic. Balancing the harms The USA is not alone in facing the invasion of the COVID-19...
Social Isolation Impacts: Unintended Consequences
Much has been written and said about the impact of social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic is having and will continue to have on the world and national economies. All of us are experiencing changes to our way of life, some of which will become the ‘new...
Getting America Back to Work Safely. The COVID-19 Unknowns
When Donald Rumsfeld, then Secretary for Defense, introduced the idea of “known unknowns” when appearing before a Senate committee in 2002, he was referring to weapons of mass destruction. WMD proved to be largely fictitious. In 2020 COVID-19 has been...
When Can We Return to Normal? Trump Eager to Reboot Economy
President Donald Trump on April 16, 2020, issued federal guidelines for states to reopen their economies amid the coronavirus pandemic. The three-phased approach announcement acknowledges that states are not ‘legally’ bound to follow the White House instructions. Read...
COVID-19 Info 3: Economic Impact payments. Am I entitled?
What is Economic impact payment? Payments being made by the US Government to most US residents to reflect the financial impact that COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is having both on families and the economy as a whole is called economic impact payment. The payment is worth...
How to manage the stress during the pandemic? Don’t worry about worrying
If you are reading this you probably already thinking to yourself “How will you manage the stress during the pandemic?”. You have probably already read articles by ‘experts’ with titles such as Coping with stress, Stress management strategies or Manage stress and...
COVID-19 treatment-Humana and Cigna agree to waive costs
Early last month President Trump announced that tests for COVID-19 infection would be included in the ten Essential Health Benefits (EHB) specified in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). NOW, two major health insurers HUMANA and CIGNA have come forward with an ADDITIONAL...
COVID-19 Self-Isolation: How to Keep Family & Friends Safe
The suggestions in the article are guidance for all members of a household where one or more members are self-isolating in order to minimize the possibility of spreading the COVID-19 virus to the wider community. Individuals should self-isolate if they have symptoms...
Health Insurance after Termination: Use COBRA Insurance?
What is COBRA health insurance? First, what does it stand for? COBRA stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, now that’s out of the way, So What does COBRA do? COBRA is the federal legislation which ensures that employers who offer group health...
Moving Home? Ways to Save Money, Make Money & Manage Stress
Of course, our first thoughts are ways to save money when moving home. A new home will probably be the biggest purchase any of us makes, but it is no reason for spending more than necessary on the move itself. There are two way of minimizing expenses when moving...
Joe Biden, building on Medicare. The public option
For most of us healthcare, both for ourselves and our loved ones whether juniors or seniors, is one of our highest priorities. Our politicians, whether Republican or Democrat, recognize this and put healthcare, (as represented by the Affordable Care Act, or...
When is a surprise not a surprise? When it’s a SHOCK!
When it comes to healthcare surprise billing may come as a shock. Perhaps it hasn’t happened to you, but almost certainly you know someone who has been on the receiving end. Should there be Federal ‘surprise’ medical billing legislation? One in five ER visits...
Special Enrollment Period for ACA Health Insurance
Qualifying Life Events can help you get coverage during Special Enrollment Periods for ACA (Affordable care act) health insurance There are defined ‘lifetime events’ which ‘trigger’ a personal special enrollment period. This period is normally a 60-day window prior to...
Discovering the Right Health Insurance Network for You
Health insurance plan & network types: HMOs, PPOs, and more. Insight into what makes a network and how to choose the right one for your needs. So what is a health insurance network? Your monthly premiums are paid to your chosen insurance company. They in...
Understand the Health Insurance ‘Metal’ Tiers
How to select the health insurance category aka the metal tier that is right for you. Before you do anything else…PLAN To get the best value from your health insurance it is important to build on what has happened in the past and consider what may happen in the...
What are state exchanges?
The Affordable Care Act gives States the power to create their own health insurance marketplaces (Exchanges) or partner with the Federally Facilitated Marketplace to ensure that the terms of the act can be applied in a uniform and affordable way. Most of the...
Life insurance options
Life Insurance is essentially about securing the financial welfare of your dependents in the event of your death or some other event such as an accident or critical illness. Term Life (Family and individual) A term life insurance policy provides cover for a...
Supplemental insurance basics
Personalize your insurances. All insurance policies are legal contracts between the insurer and the insured which describe the types and limitations of the insured events. Some insurances are Federal or State requirements. Health insurance and Auto...
How does the Federal Health Insurance marketplace work?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also referred to as Obamacare, provides for all American Citizens to have access to health insurance underwritten by the US Government. Unless exempted, all American citizens and foreign residents must be covered by health insurance...
Life Insurance Basics
Life insurance simplified. Life insurance, is a contract between an insurance policy holder and an insurer (carrier). The insurer promises to pay a designated beneficiary a sum of money (the benefit) in exchange for a premium, upon the death (or...
Health insurance 101
All that you need to know about Health Insurance to choose the right coverage for you and your family What is Health Insurance? When any member of the family falls ill there will be additional expenses. Perhaps for treatment, medication, hospital care or surgery. ...
Choosing the right health insurance plans
Private health insurance plans. How do the various types of health insurance plans work? Your plan determines (i) Who will deliver the services covered by your plan (ii) What services will be covered. The lowest level of coverage is the MEC (iii) How the costs will be...
The health insurance exchange
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is designed to do three things: Ensure that all American citizens have access to affordable treatment and that the risk is shared reasonably between the insured and the insurer.Create a competitive insurance industry while setting...
Tax and subsidy guidance
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) comes with benefits and obligations. The benefit is that every American citizen has affordable access to healthcare. The obligation is to have sufficient health insurance to meet the Minimum Essential Care (MEC) limit. There is a...
Health insurance basics
Everyone who is familiar with the cost of medical care or the complexities that come with it know that it can be a major headache. From the very moment you enter the doctor’s office, to having your prescription drugs filled, to different lab tests and screenings, to...
ACA guide
Affordable Care Act The Affordable Care Act is a Health Insurance program underwritten by the US government to ensure that American Citizens have affordable access to high quality basic healthcare. All American Citizens with health insurance have access to defined...
